Bermuda Teams Prepare For SuperCup NI

The IDA Bermuda Select teams continued their buildup in preparation for participation in the Super Cup Northern Ireland youth football tournament. The U14 IDA Bermuda Select team arrived at the teams’ base at Ulster University on Friday to join the U16 and U18 teams already present.

IDA Bermuda Select U14 @ LF Wade Airport

A spokesperson said, “On Friday 22, 2022 the U16 and U18 teams travelled to Ballymena United, where Jonte Smith played last season in the Northern Ireland Premier League, for warmup matches. The matches were intended to allow the Bermuda teams to become familiar with the level & style of play of opponents they will face in the tournament matches.

U16 IDA Bermuda vs Ballymena United

“The U16 IDA Bermuda Select played in the first match and quickly had to come to grips with the increased speed of play and intensity of the Irish opponent. They matched the aggression of the Ballymena teams, but would be called for numerous fouls in the 1st half as they pressed the opponent and often were late with tackles. Several players were fortunate that the match was a “friendly” practice game and the referee was lenient at times, but Nayan Grant did pick up a yellow card early as the energetic fullback set about closing down and challenging the opposing attacking players. Bermuda created a few threaten attacks in the half and were competing on an even level with Ballymena. Ballymena moved the ball quickly to mount attacks with balls played behind the Bermuda defensive line. They were a technically skilled team with a good physical presence, and tactically organized and disciplined.

“Ballymena would capitalize to score with an unopposed header inside the box from a cross delivered from the right to take a 1-0 lead, which they carried into the halftime break. Bermuda restarted the 2nd half with player rotations and some tactical adjustments, and would be rewarded with an equalizing goal from the ever present Bakari Furbert. Paris Robison’s free kick from just outside the penalty area was parried down by the Ballymena goalkeeper and Furbert was first to the ball to give Bermuda a deserved equalizer.

“Both teams would continue to test each other, but Bermuda would pay the price for failing to close the game out and conceded the winner with 20 secs remaining in the match. Bermuda had a free kick outside the right side of the Ballymena penalty, area and from the kick Ballymena would counter quickly, catching the Bermuda left back napping in poor position allowing his opponent to take position inside of him and break to goal for the score from the clearance. While disheartened to lose on a late score, there were many positives to take away and the match provided the acclimation IDA Bermuda required.

Players in recovery protocols @ Port Stewart Strand Beach – An Irish Ice Bath

U18 IDA Bermuda vs Ballymena United

“The IDA Bermuda U18s would play out an entertaining match against their Ballymena counterparts, demonstrating attacking threat and organized play. The speed of the IDA Bermuda forward line gave early warning as Sachiel Ming demonstrated his ability to get in behind the Ballymena defensive line. The forward penetrated from the left to drag his shot just wide of the far post with the goalkeeper beaten. Both teams continued to feel each other out as the half would end scoreless.

“Harry Twite and Tajai Goater were equally threatening, and the two would combine for the opening score in the second half to give IDA Bermuda the lead. A smart build up from the back on the left side saw some beautiful combination play that allowed Twite to make a run at the goal and his attempted finish was blocked by the goalkeeper, with Goater following up to dispatch the ball into the net as IDA Bermuda took the lead.

“Ballymena would claw back into the match and score two goals to take a 2-1 lead. Bermuda drew level when a corner from the left side taken by Ming was delivered to the back post and played back into the goal area where it was partially cleared back towards Ming, who beat his defender near the goal line with a run towards the near post that he finished from a tight angle to draw IDA Bermuda level.

“Ballymena would again take the lead when Nkenge Durham in goal for IDA Bermuda was beaten on a free kick just outside the penalty area to again fall behind at 3-2. A poor pass back to the Ballymena goal keeper inside the penalty area allowed Goater to challenge and win a tackle with the goalkeeper to slot into an empty net to complete his brace and again draw Bermuda level.

“Both teams were attacking with purpose and threatening to score, but it would be Ballymena who would find the winner with seconds remaining when they again beat Durham from a free kick outside the penalty area. Durham was unlucky not to make the save as he dove to his right to trap the ball against the upright, but the assistant referee judged it to have crossed the line.

“Certainly a clear take a way for both the U16 and U18 IDA Bermuda teams, which they will need to take heed of when the tournament games begin, is the need to be able to manage the game and see it through to the final whistle to earn a share of the spoils.

U14 IDA Bermuda Select Warm up Match vs Surf Select [USA]

“On Saturday July 22nd, 2022 the U14 IDA Bermuda team would play a practice match against the Surf Select team at their Ulster University team base. The Surf Select team is comprised of players from various clubs, with some coming from San Diego, Puerto Rico and the New England area.

“The IDA Bermuda team were playing their possession brand of football, but would be made to pay for mistakes in their defensive third on a slow pitch. While IDA Bermuda were able to combine for passes and move the ball, too much of their possession play was in front of the opponent and they did not threaten with penetration behind the opponents defensive line enough to utilize their speed in the attacking line.

“Surf Select were technically sound and tactically organized. They were content to allow the IDA Bermuda team to play in front of their defensive line and picking their moments to win back possession and mount their attacks. They would score 3 goals and shut out the IDA Bermuda team, who had isolated attacks, to win the match 3-0.

“IDA Bermuda can take away positives from the match with various aspects of play, but will need to better adapt to match up against opponents in the group games.

“The practice games have proved valuable in helping the teams to understand what is required to compete with the level of competition in this tournament, and results in these matches are not as important as the insight gained. The coaches have encouraged a mindset of “Learn & Grow”, challenging the players to use each match and experience to improve and build towards a peak.

IDA Bermuda Teams Visit The Giants Causeway

“The players had the opportunity to visit one of Northern Irelands most famous landmarks and attraction – The Giants Causeway. Known to the Irish as the 8th Wonder of the World. It derives its name from local folklore, it is fabled to be the work of giants, particularly of Finn MacCumhaill [MacCool], who built it as part of a causeway to the Scottish island of Staffa [which has similar rock formations] for motives of either love or war. The Giant Causeway has about 40,000 interlocking columns made from basalt. The columns have a unique hexagonal shape. The columns are reminiscent of huge stepping stones. Some actually go as high 39 feet into the air.”

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